Firefighter Billy dies at 98

Tributes have been paid to a former Wroxham firefighter who has died at the age of 98.

William Betts joined the service during the Second World War, signing up at Wroxham station in 1942.

He served until 1963 and one of his last callouts was to the large fire at Horstead Mill.

Known to his friends as Billy, he was honoured last summer when he was presented with a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

At the time, he said the fire service had gone through some changes since the early days.

“When I started at Wroxham during the war, we slept there in hammocks,” he said.

“I was on the control and when the message came in that the enemy was coming, I had to ring up five fire stations to tell them. I then had to ring them all back to tell them when they were gone.”

In 1949 he married Sylvia Bane, and the couple had two children.

Their son Christopher followed his father into the fire service at Wroxham.

He lost his life in a fire at The Chequers Pub in Hainford in 1987, and a red plaque was put up last December in his memory.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Scott Norman said: “We thank William for his dedicated service and the commitment he and his family have shown to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service ever since.

“We know what a heartbreaking tragedy it was to lose Christopher… We are very sad to hear of William’s passing but hope they are reunited now.”

Billy never lost his spirit of adventure and celebrated his 98th birthday in December with a flight in a Spitfire.

A statement from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Firefighter Betts.”